Watch-barrel.



No. 808,176. PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905. J. THALHOPER, DEGD.

G. THALHOIEE, ADMINISTRATOR.

WATCH BARREL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21, 1903.

UNITED sTATns PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVE THALHOFER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ADMINISTRATOR OF JOSEPH THALHOFER, DECEASED.

WATCH-BARREL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed January 21, 1903. Serial No. 140,054.

- ceased, late a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, did heretofore invent certain new and useful Improvements in Watch-Barrels, of which the following is a description.

This invention is in the nature of an im provement upon the invention described and claimed in an application for Letters Patent ,granted to said Joseph Thalhofer on April 23, 1901, Serial N0. 672,655; and it consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of the parts shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims. qfrg In the drawings, wherein like referenceletters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a diametrical section through the main wheel-arbor, showing the preferred construction. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the jewel-setting, ratchetwheel, and collar separated from one another. Fig. 4 is a partial top plan of the construction shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a partial diametrical section showing a modification, and Fig. 6 is a partial top plan of the same.

In the drawings, A B represent the plates or equivalent bridge parts of a watchmove ment; C, the main wheel; D, the mainspringbarrel proper; E, the main arbor; F, the ratchet-wheel of a watch-winding mechanism; G, the annular winding arbor or stud, and II the mainspring within the barrel.

As shown in the drawings, the shoulder 0 upon the main arbor E is preferably positioned with a suitable recess in the main wheel C in the usual manner. A screwthreaded nut K, engaging the main arbor E, is positioned upon the opposite side of the wheel C and serves to retain the fixed relation of the main wheel with the arbor E. (Equivalent means of well-known construction may be employed for the same general purpose, if preferred.) The ewel-setting I, engaging with the plate B in any preferred manner, retains a jewel i in position for the reception of one end of the main arbor, as shown. The mainspring-barrel D is preferably detachably connected with the main wheel C, as shown, and rotates therewith.

' the annular arbor G, as shown.

This engagement may be secured by a frictional contact of the barrel with the upturned flanges of the main wheel or by other equivalent means, as preferred. The mainspring H is secured at its outer end to the barrel D or adjacent parts in any preferred manner as, for example, by the T-bar hwhile the in ner end is constructed to engage in any preferred manner with the winding arbor or stud G. In the preferred form the engagement of the spring with the winding-arbor is so made that the latter may be removed with the plate without disturbing the spring and barrel. This may be accomplished by forming a hook or shoulder 9 upon the annular arbor G, adapted to engage with a hook h on the inner end of the spring H, as shown. The winding arbor or stud G extends through the plate A and is provided with means for rotatably securing and retaining it in such position. As shown, shoulders g or equivalent means are arranged to extend beneath said plate and serve to retain the arbor in position in the plate in one direction, while the improved means hereinafter described or equivalent means serve the same purpose in the other direction.

In the preferred form shown a jewel-setting L is positioned within a recess 9, formed in the end of the annular arbor G and serving to secure a jewel N in position upon the end of the annular arbor for bearing of the main arbor E. In order that undue pressure may not be exerted upon the jewel whereby the latter may become injured or cracked, the jewel-setting L is secured upon the end of the annular arbor independently of any contact or connection with any other part, as shown. When the jewel-setting L, which closely fits the recess g, is in position, screws Z serve to secure the jewel-setting in position without exerting any undue pressure upon the jewel. The ratchet-wheel F is provided with a circular opening adapted to receive the jewel-setting without pressure contact therewith, and when placed in position it may be secured to the annular arbor by means of screws f, passing through the ratchet wheel and into In order to.

make a more finished construction when desired, a collar M is provided, which is seated on the ratchet-wheel F, as shown, and extended inwardly to near the jewel-setting,

but not in contact therewith, covering and hiding the base of the jewel-setting and screws. Screws serve to secure the collar in position and also passing through the wheel F secure said wheel upon the annular arbor, as shown. As thus described, the j ewel-setting is secured to the end of the arbor with ust sulficient pressure to retain the jewel in position to form a suitable bearing for the end of the main arbor, and any undue strain which might be caused by securing the ratchet-wheel and adjacent parts firmly in position in the usual manner is avoided. This improvement without adding to the expense of the construction provides a simple means of protecting the jewel, and thus increasing the durability of the watch.

In the modifications shown in Fig. 5 a recess is formed in the end of the arbor G for the j eWeLsetting L, as before, while a depression is formed in the end of the annular arbor for setting the ratchet-wheel F thereon.

This construction forms a ring or ridge 0, separating the jewel-setting from contact with the ratchet-wheel F, as shown. Screws Z serve to retain the jewel-setting in position, as before, while screws f secure the ratchetwheel F in position upon the end of the annular arbor, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. As described, the ratchet-wheel connection serves to retain the arbor in position in the plate A in one direction, as before referred to. The mode of operation is obvious to those skilled in the art and requires no further description. The ratchet-wheel is provided with a click of any well-known form (not shown) and with suitable connections with the stem of a watch-movement. (Also not shown.)

It is obvious that a simple bearing may be substituted in the place of a j ewel-bearing, if preferred; but such modification is obviously an inferior equivalent.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In watch-winding mechanism, the combination, with the main wheel-and the mainspring, of a plate A having a bearing-opening therein, an annular arbor adapted for the attachment of the mainspring, said arbor being journaled in said opening, means for accurately retaining said arbor in position, a jewel-setting independently secured upon the end of the said arbor, a ratchet-wheel F, and a collar M secured thereto, said collar embracing the j ewel-setting but not contacting therewith; substantially as described.

2. In watch-winding mechanism, the combination, with the main wheel and the mainspring, of a plate A, having a bearing-opening therein, an annular-arbor journaled in said bearing-opening, means foraccuratelyretaining said arbor in position, a jewel-setting L, independently secured upon the end of the said arbor, a ratchet-wheel F, and a collar M secured thereto, said collar embracing the jewel-setting but not contacting therewith;

' substantially as described.

In a watch-winding mechanism, the combination with a main wheel and a mainspring, of a plate A having a bearing-opening therein, an annular arbor adapted for the attachment of the mainspring, said arbor being journaled in said opening, a jewel-setting independently secured upon the end of said arbor, and a collar embracing said ewelsetting but free from engagement therewith.

4. I11 a watch-winding mechanism, the combination with a main wheel and mainspring, of a plate having a bearing-opening therein, an annular arbor adapted for the attaclnnent of the mainspring, said arbor being ournaled in said opening, a jewel-setting independently secured upon the end of said arbor, a collar, connecting means between said collar and arbor, said collar being arranged to embrace said jewel-setting but free from contact therewith.

5. In a watch -winding mechanism, the combination with a main wheel and mainspring, of a plate having a central bearingopening therein, an annular arbor adapted for the attachment of the mainspring, said arbor being journaled in said opening, a

jewel-setting independently secured upon the end of said arbor, said setting being free from contact with and spaced from all other parts of the watch mechanism, whereby the setting is free from all pressure save that of said securing means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub scribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GU STAVE Tl IAIJH 0 FE R, Administrator of the estate of Joseph T71111- hqfcr, deceased.

Witnesses:

JOHN W. IIILL, CHARLES I. COBB. 

